It was sport appreciation day Saturday at Saint Louis University and the Eastern men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams were victorious in their dual meets.

The women (5-2), who are winners of their last five dual meets, struggled early, but edged out the Billikens 142-110. The victory was carried by wins in the 100- and 50-yard freestyle events by Allison Kenny and Jordan Sherbrooke in the 1000- and 500-yard freestyle events. Beth Rhodes aided to the victory with first win in the 100-yard butterfly.

“I think that we did a great job of coming off of [Thanksgiving] break,” senior Jessica Kaatz said. “We just want to keep on doing our best and winning. We are hoping for six in a row.”

Kenny remains undefeated with a record of 14-0, as the rest of the team continues their strong swimming. Eastern has a perfect 7-0 in the 50-yard and the 100 free events.

Beth Rhodes, Erin Lowe and Michelle Worblewski continue to swim increasingly well to help the team as they head into the stretch run towards the Midwest Conference Championships.

“We have become closer as a team,” Kenny said. “We have become more motivated toward winning. “

The men’s team (7-0) continued its domination with a 158-94 drowning of the Billikens, as they took first place in 10 of the 11 swimming events.

The Panthers were never behind on the scoreboard and were anchored by Nic Cheviron (200 and 500 free), Josh Kercheval (200 individual medley) and Rich Walhgren (50 and 100 free) as they accounted for five of the team’s 10 first place finishes.

“This meet was just like shaking off the cobwebs after the long break,” senior Adam Brown said. “and we are still swimming well and winning. We should have won every race but the last race we kind of were screwing around.”

Others contributing to the victory were Kurt Johns and Kevin Wheatley, finishing first and second, respectively in the 100 backstroke. Tom Watson also took first in the 1000 freestyle and Zachary Miller added a second place finish in the three-meter springboard competition.

“It was still so sweet to win because it was sport appreciation day and almost all of the athletes [from the other sports] were there,” Brown said.